Apple is reportedly planning a significant change to the front design of the iPhone 18 Pro. According to industry sources, the company will move the front-facing selfie camera from the center to the top-left corner of the display.
This adjustment aims to support the integration of under-display Face ID technology, which Apple has been developing for several years. The new selfie camera placement could free up more space for the advanced Face ID sensors beneath the screen.
Tech insiders say this design relocation is still undergoing evaluation and testing within Apple’s supply chain. The under-display Face ID has faced challenges, especially in maintaining sensor quality and reliable facial recognition performance comparable to current standards.
If implemented, this shift would represent the first time since the iPhone X in 2017 that Apple changes the selfie camera’s position from its centered location inside the notch. While recent iPhones reduced notch size with the Dynamic Island feature, they kept the camera and sensors in the middle.
Moving the camera to the upper-left corner could alter the iPhone’s front aesthetics dramatically. It may also offer users a more expansive screen area by reducing or eliminating the visible cutouts on the display.
User Experience and Interface Considerations
Relocating the selfie camera introduces new factors affecting daily user interaction. For example, selfie shots and video calls taken from the top-left corner will require software adaptation. Apple must ensure image processing algorithms compensate for the altered camera angle without sacrificing photo quality.
Moreover, the iOS interface might need tweaks to avoid obstructing key visuals or controls due to the shifted camera position. Despite these challenges, this design move could allow Apple to deploy Face ID under the screen more elegantly.
Separating the selfie camera from other Face ID sensors gives Apple additional flexibility to arrange internal components underneath the display. This may lead to a smaller or fully hidden screen cutout, resulting in a cleaner, immersive display experience.
Reports also confirm the ongoing testing of under-display Face ID for the iPhone 18 line, which aligns with advancements seen among Android competitors. However, Apple famously upholds stringent security standards, demanding flawless under-display biometric performance before mass adoption.
Apple’s Long-Term Design Strategy
This prospective change fits Apple’s phased approach to iPhone design evolution. Rumors indicate the iPhone 18 Pro will retain the familiar rear camera layout, reserving major back design upgrades for future models like the iPhone 20.
Such staggered innovation allows Apple to perfect new technologies incrementally. By refining the front display with under-screen Face ID first, the company manages risk while maximizing user benefits. This methodical rollout approach helps maintain supply chain stability amid challenges, including reported 2nm chip supply constraints for the iPhone 18 series.
The final decision on the iPhone 18 Pro’s camera placement and front design is expected in the upcoming months as Apple completes engineering validation tests. Tech enthusiasts worldwide are keenly watching to see if Apple will break nearly a decade of front-camera symmetry to introduce a bolder display design.
In summary, the shift of the selfie camera to the left corner signals Apple’s continuous effort to innovate while balancing function, aesthetics, and security. This development exemplifies the company’s commitment to expanding screen real estate and embracing next-gen biometric technologies under high standards.
